th
4
Grade English - SOL 4.5
Caroline LaMagna
Informational Text
Organization
Signal Words
Definition
Example
Cause and Effect
so, because, since
Because so many
Bald Eagles were
The writer explains the killed by pesticides
reasons for an event. and illegal hunting,
they were in danger
Effect
of becoming extinct.
Comparison/
Contrast
different from, same
as, alike, similar to,
unlike, but,
compared to, in
contrast, however
Cause
The writer discusses
the similarities and
differences of two
things
Golden Eagles are
likely to hunt for
prey; however, Bald
Eagles are more
likely to take an easy
meal.
Informational Text
Feature
Format
Purpose–How does it help me read
and understand the information?
Table of contents
Chapters
This provides me with a list of
information included in the text.
Title
Headings and
Subheadings
I can read a brief phrase that tells me what
information I will find in the paragraph
below it.
Bold or italicized words Bold or italicized words These words are important terms that I
must be able to define so I can understand
the information.
Graphics/illustrations
Graphics/illustrations
A picture, graph, or chart that provides
me more information OR arranges the
information in a visual format so I might
understand it better.
Example Paragraph
Alligators and crocodiles may look similar, but
they have many differences. Scientists separate
alligators and crocodiles by differences in their
skulls, scales, and teeth. The crocodile's skull and
jaws are longer and narrower than the alligator's.
When an alligator closes its mouth, its teeth are
hidden, but when a crocodile closes its mouth,
some of its teeth stick out. Alligators and
crocodiles both have thick, bumpy skin, but
alligators tend to be darker in color. Adult
alligators are grayish black, but adult crocodiles
are light tan to brown in color.
Does this paragraph show cause and effect, or comparison and
contrast?
Example Paragraph
There are several reasons why so many
people attend the Olympic games or watch
them on television. One reason is tradition.
The name “Olympics” and the torch and
flame remind people of the ancient games.
National pride is another reason. Because
so many people take pride in their nation,
an athlete's or a team's hard earned victory
becomes a nation's victory. There are
national medal counts and people keep
track of how many medals their country's
athletes have won.
Does this paragraph show cause and effect, or comparison and
contrast?
What is the best title for this
paragraph?
There are several reasons why so many
people attend the Olympic games or watch
them on television. One reason is tradition.
The name “Olympics” and the torch and
flame remind people of the ancient games.
National pride is another reason. Because
so many people take pride in their nation,
an athlete's or a team's hard earned victory
becomes a nation's victory. There are
national medal counts and people keep
track of how many medals their country's
athletes have won.
A. Competing in the Olympic
Games
B. Medals of the Olympic
Games
C. Our Fascination with the
Olympic Games
D. Winter Olympics or
Summer Olympics – Which
is Better?
What is the best title for this
paragraph?
There are several reasons why so many
people attend the Olympic games or watch
them on television. One reason is tradition.
The name “Olympics” and the torch and
flame remind people of the ancient games.
National pride is another reason. Because
so many people take pride in their nation,
an athlete's or a team's hard earned victory
becomes a nation's victory. There are
national medal counts and people keep
track of how many medals their country's
athletes have won.
A. Competing in the Olympic
Games
B. Medals of the Olympic
Games
C. Our Fascination with the
Olympic Games
D. Winter Olympics or
Summer Olympics – Which
is Better?
Author’s Purpose
Letters, novels, recipes, instructions, newspapers, magazines, web
pages, and advertisements all contain text. One of the things you may
be asked to identify about a piece of text is the author's purpose in
writing it. For example:
• An advertisement might be trying to persuade you to buy
something.
• A letter from school might be to inform you about something.
• A novel might describe somewhere or someone to you.
• A car manual might instruct you how to do something to your
car.
Persuade
The following are examples of text meant to persuade you to do
something, buy something, or believe something:
• SPECIAL OFFER! Buy today! Would you want to miss this
SPECIAL offer? Phone NOW...
• "I really think that you need this holiday. You have been
working very hard lately and are so worn out. Just think of
how nice it will be to lie on the beach in the sunshine."
Inform
The following are examples of text that was written to inform you about
something:
• Make a plan to help you try and give up smoking. Plan the date
you'll give up, how you'll try to deal with temptations and a list
of the reasons why you are giving up to keep motivated.
• First Nine Weeks: Your child will be covering simple fractions
during weeks 1-4.
Instruct
The following are examples of text written to instruct you, or
explain, how to do something:
• Put all ingredients into bowl together.Whisk until fully mixed.
• Go to the end of the road and turn left past the pub on the
corner. Keep walking until you come to a park and then turn
right into Hawker Street.
Describe
The following is an example of text written to describe something to you
by using comparisons and appealing to your senses:
• The morning air was crisp and sharp as Sean walked down the
road.
• The pavement was slippery and cold beneath his feet like a slimy
wet fish.
What was the author’s main purpose in
writing this paragraph?
A. To show that alligators are
more interesting than
crocodiles
Alligators and crocodiles may look similar,
but they have many differences. Scientists
separate alligators and crocodiles by
differences in their skulls, scales, and teeth. B. To persuade you to go on a
safari to see alligators and
The crocodile's skull and jaws are longer and
crocodiles
narrower than the alligator's. When an
alligator closes its mouth, its teeth are
C. To explain that scientists spend
hidden, but when a crocodile closes its
many hours studying alligators
mouth, some of its teeth stick out. Alligators
and crocodiles
and crocodiles both have thick, bumpy skin,
but alligators tend to be darker in color.
D. To show the differences and
Adult alligators are grayish black, but adult
similarities between alligators
crocodiles are light tan to brown in color.
and crocodiles
What was the author’s main purpose in
writing this paragraph?
A. To show that alligators are
more interesting than
crocodiles
Alligators and crocodiles may look similar,
but they have many differences. Scientists
separate alligators and crocodiles by
differences in their skulls, scales, and teeth. B. To persuade you to go on a
safari to see alligators and
The crocodile's skull and jaws are longer and
crocodiles
narrower than the alligator's. When an
alligator closes its mouth, its teeth are
C. To explain that scientists spend
hidden, but when a crocodile closes its
many hours studying alligators
mouth, some of its teeth stick out. Alligators
and crocodiles
and crocodiles both have thick, bumpy skin,
but alligators tend to be darker in color.
D. To show the differences and
Adult alligators are grayish black, but adult
similarities between alligators
crocodiles are light tan to brown in color.
and crocodiles
Infer – Read Between the Lines
When traveling to Sydney, Australia in
January, be sure to pack your bathing suit!
Leave your heavy coat at home – you
won’t be needing it. Plan to relax on the
beautiful beaches, take a glass-bottom
boat ride at the Sydney Aquarium, and
catch a performance at the Sydney Opera
House. Escape winter in the United
States! Low airfares are available. Book
your trip now!
What is the weather like in Sydney, Australia in January?
Summarize
A summary is what an entire passage is about. It is based on
what happened at the beginning, the middle, and the end of a
passage. When you summarize a passage, you are restating the
passage in a shorter form.
A good summary answers the "5 Ws" -Who, What, Why (or
How), When, and Where. Summaries should include only the
most important information.You should not include specific
details that are not needed to understand what is being told in
the passage.
Which is the best summary?
A.Spanish conquistadors came
Many Spanish conquistadors
to the Americas in the
came to the Americas in the
1400's and 1500's for gold,
1400s and 1500s. They didn't
glory and God.
come to settle the land. Instead,
they came searching for
B. The conquistadors didn't
treasures. They wanted to find
want to settle America.
gold and glory for Spain. They
also wanted to take their Roman
C.The Spanish conquistadors
Catholic religion to the people
searched for gold and glory
they encountered in America.
in America.
Summarize
If you chose the first summary - A. Spanish conquistadors came
to the Americas in the 1400's and 1500's for gold, glory and God you are correct!
The first summary answers the 5 Ws:
Who? the Spanish conquistadors
What? they came
Where? to the Americas
When? 1400's and 1500s
Why? for gold, glory, and God (they wanted to spread their religion)
Fact or Opinion
• A fact is something that is true about a
subject and can be tested or proven.
For Example:
 The sun is the closest star to the Earth.
 Studies show that smoking is bad for your
health.
Fact
To see if something is a fact, ask
yourself:
“Can this statement be proved?”
Opinion
 To check for opinions, ask yourself,
“Does this tell a thought or feeling?”
“Would the statement be true all of the
time?”
Look for clue words such as:
feel, believe, always, never, none,
most, least, best, and worst
Fact or Opinion?
 L. Frank Baum wrote "The Wizard of Oz".
 FACT
 Her house is really beautiful.
 OPINION
 Nine plus one equals ten.
 FACT
 Summer is the best season of all.
 OPINION